2,5-Dimethylphenol

Synonyms

2,5-Xylenol; 1,2,5-Xylenol; 1,4-Dimethyl-2-hydroxybenzene; 1-Hydroxy-2,5-dimethylbenzene; 2,5-DMP; 3,6-Dimethylphenol; 3,6-Xylenol; 6-Methyl-m-cresol; Phenol, 2,5-dimethyl-; p-Xylenol; [ChemIDplus] UN2261

Category

Phenols

Description

Colorless to off-white solid; [CAMEO] Needles; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used to make phenolic resins and (in isomeric mixtures) as an antioxidant for lubricating oils, gasoline, and elastomers; [HSDB]

Comments

Causes ataxia and convulsions in lethal-dose feeding studies; [RTECS] Corrosive to tissues; Inhalation may cause laryngeal spasm, edema of the bronchi, and chemical pneumonitis; May induce methemoglobinemia; Chronic exposure may cause liver and kidney damage; [CAMEO] Safe when used as a flavoring agent in food; [JECFA] Toxic by ingestion and skin contact; May cause burns; [eChemPortal: ESIS] A corrosive substance that can cause injury to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; Inhalation may cause chemical pneumonitis; May be absorbed through skin; [MSDSonline] "As the six dimethylphenol isomers and the mixed isomer substance are generally similar in toxicity, a common TLV for these substances is appropriate. . . . In mice, oral exposure to 250 mg/kg/day produced changes in blood parameters including statistically significant decreases in mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (4 and 3% reduction in mean values, respectively. . . . Available data on skin sensitization from exposure to dimethylphenol are mixed but warrant the addition of a DSEN notation. . . . All six dimethylphenol isomers were tested in a mouse local lymph node assay and the results found 2.4, 2,5, and 3,4-dimethylphenol to be positive for skin sensitization." There are no epidemiology studies. In a case report, ingestion of about 250 ml of a mixture of dimethylphenol isomers resulted in CNS depression, hypotension, and death. [ACGIH] See "Phenol."

Biomedical References

1 ppm, inhalable fraction and vapor

0.156 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Xylenols, solid."

Yes

Yes

MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Other CNS neurotoxin

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Confirmed Animal

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Petroleum Production and Refining